The New York City Department of Health issued a recommendation on Friday to return to wearing a mask in public places, both indoors and outdoors when large numbers of people accumulate, at a time when cases of COVID-19 and other diseases this winter season “are experiencing unusually high simultaneous peaks.”
He also urged New Yorkers to take other precautions such as getting vaccinated against COVID and the flu, undergo viral tests, wash your hands and stay home if you are sick, noting in a statement that it is “especially important” for people who go come together this festive season.
There is an increased risk of complications from COVID-19 for those with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or influenza, as well as people older than 65 and the immunocompromised.
According to the health agency, COVID and flu cases are increasing nationally and in this city. Nationwide, flu hospitalizations reached the highest levels in a decade for this time of year.
“The holiday season is all about being together and there is a way to do it safely, even when respiratory viruses in our city are unusually high,” said city Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan.
Vasan said that protection should include vaccinations and boosters, as well as “common sense protections” like wearing a “high-quality” mask indoors or in crowds and staying home if you don’t feel well.
People who are at higher risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses, including those over age 65, infants, those with weakened immune systems, certain underlying medical conditions, pregnant, or not up-to-date on flu shots or COVID should consider additional precautions to avoid exposure to respiratory viruses, the city doctor warned.
The state of New York announced last February that it was eliminating the use of indoor masks, although it kept it in some places such as nursing homes and in September it was the turn of public transport, but it continues in force in hospitals and public clinics.
